The next seven days, Khushi kept mulling over these new thoughts that had entered her mind. What if Arnav did love her and married her? Then what? What would she do then? She didn’t love him but would become his wife, how was that fair? She would be wronging him, wouldn’t she? For she would be doing the very thing that she was afraid he was doing to her, deceiving her. She couldn’t live with that; the thought of deceiving him, the thought of breaking his heart. How much would it hurt him, to know that she didn’t love him. Right now he was under some impression that she did, but when after the marriage he realized that it wasn’t true then what?
These thoughts haunted her. No matter what she did or where she went they always found her. She felt like some criminal when in front of him, especially with the way he smiled around her and absentmindedly stared at her. This affected her so much that on the Wednesday before the sangeet, she asked to go on official leave. To which he first reacted a little strongly, not wanting to miss the chance of seeing her everyday. But when she said, that she being the bride deserved to be off two weeks before her wedding in order to relax and get pampered by her family, he agreed, reluctantly. Thus from Wednesday afternoon she had been home, although not relaxing instead making jalebis to calm her over-wired mind. But even the jalebis didn’t help. She then turned to her parents and friend, but even walking around the garden or sitting on the swing Anjali had gotten her didn’t settle her frenzied mind. Plus being in the garden made her feel just as frazzled as she felt when in front of Arnav, for now she knew there was a reason why the garden had often reminded her of Arnav. Before she had thought it was because she knew he liked gardening and was good at it, thus the beautiful garden around her made her think of him, but now she knew it wasn’t just that, it was the fact that he himself had groomed this garden hence is why it carried his air.
She was restless. She didn’t know what to feel. Should she trust her mind and not trust him and therefore have no reason to worry about breaking his heart, for her mind still told her it was all a façade on his part. Or should she trust her heart that believed Nani’s words and felt that he was being truthful. If that was the case then she didn’t deserve his trust or love for she didn’t know how to reciprocate it. She was stuck in an unfortunate battle between her heart and mind yet again, where one said that he would break her trust and the other said that she would break his. Which was right, which was wrong? Who knew? Or were they both wrong and something else was at play, entirely? This third question arose on Saturday morning, after a call from Anjali stirred something like emotion inside her heart for Arnav.
On the morning of the sangeet, Anjali called to inform them of a change in plan, regarding the wedding location. Arnav had decided, seeing the very few invties on the Gupta’s side at the engagement and for the sangeet ceremony, that the wedding should take place in Lucknow where all the Gupta’s family and friends were. He wanted everyone of their family and friend’s to attend the wedding, he wanted all of Khushi’s nearest and dearest there, some thing that wouldn’t happen if the wedding was held in Delhi, so he decided to change the location.
There was another reason why he wanted all their relations to attend the wedding, which had to do with a conversation he had heard between Garima and Madhumathi during the engagement party, at how the media announcement would now seal all those people’s lips who had dared to scorn Khushi after her broken engagement and then Shyam’s drama which he had created in front of the whole neighbourhood, resulting in Shashi’s heart-attack. Madhumathi had happily stated in a whisper to Garima that this news would reach them and that would teach them for ever bad-mouthing her darling neice. Arnav wanted to shut their mouths too, for daring to disgrace Khushi; thus wanted to marry her in front of each and every one of them, showing them just how well she had done in her life regardless of their taunts. She was a top-class designer, was supporting her family financially, had a house in her name and was getting married, no thanks to them but to her own never-backing-down attitude. One of the many things he loved immensely about her.
However, these were all still secondary reasons, there was one most important reason that had led him to take this decision, which the previous reasons had supported. This reason was that he wanted to fulfil Khushi’s unsaid wish. She had never told him and he wasn’t even sure if she had told anyone else, but her heart had revealed it to him. During the engagement ceremony he had seen her break away from the crowd and take a seat under the stars on the poolside: take a seat with her parents. She missed her parents terribly; he knew that, for just like her he missed them too. Thus he decided to take the sacred pheres in the same mandir where her parents had taken theirs’, so that on their wedding day she could feel like they were there, with her. That was his main reason for changing the location to Lucknow, so that the marriage could take place at the same temple, where her parents had eloped.
Anjali didn’t convey all these reasons, she only said how Arnav thought the Gupta’s having all their relations in Lucknow it best to do it there and asked nonchalantly if it was possible to do it in the mandir Khushi’s parents’ had gotten married in. But Khushi knew the brother and sister’s games well; the very fact that Anjali had adopted a casual tone and suggested that it was her idea of having the wedding at that particular mandir, meant that it wasn’t one she had just thought about on the spot and was in fact her brother’s who as always hated taking the credit for anything good in front of anyone else, but Anjali or Devyani. The family had rejoiced hearing this and starting talking more excitedly, if that was even possible, about the wedding now taking place in their hometown, Lucknow. The sangeet, however, was to take place in Delhi as it had been planned for later that evening, there being no time to cancel all the invites and postpone it. Thus it had been decided the sangeet was to carry on as it had been planned, while the mehendi, haldi and wedding would take place in Lucknow the following weekend.
As everyone went about getting ready for the function that day and talking about preparations that needed to be considered now due to the change of venue, Khushi ventured out into the lawn and sat on her swing, replayed Payal’s excited words from moments ago: oh Khushi I am so happy for you, you are going into such a loving and caring family. Just for your happiness and ours they decided to bring the barat to Lucknow, I mean how incredibly sweet is that? I am sure Arnav ji had something to do with this. He loves you so very much. She had chirped happily when she hugged her after conveying the news Anjali had broken over the phone.
As the wind blew in her face, she dwelled upon what she had said and what Nani had told her. These things, along with his actions that showed great care all suggested he did indeed love her and for the first time this thought didn’t make her feel like a felon for not loving him back because it instead produced a new sensation within her, originating from somewhere deep inside of her. A warm, fuzzy feeling, which reflexively made her giggle at the thought of Arnav. She had never felt like this before regarding him or anyone. It was such an elated feeling. Suddenly, all her worries about the marriage and what would happen disappeared and all that echoed in her mind was the harmonious voice of Payal singing sweet praises of Arnav, which wamed her cheeks.
In this new halo she dressed in a simple, yet gorgeous green sari, as green was Arnav’s favourite colour (a fact Anjali once related, but it wouldn’t be hard to guess, considering he loved plants so much). The sari was a deep green, with an intricate black lace border that brought elegance to the outfit. It had a backless green blouse that fastened itself around her chest via a silver hook at the bottom and a string at the top. With it she wore silver studs with a green crystal drop, green glass bangles and left her hair out. In this heart-stopping attire she stepped into the Shantivan hall making Arnav’s heart come to a stand-still. She looked stunning and he couldn’t take his eyes off of her. It wasn’t until Anjali actually nudged him towards the Gupta’s did he come out of her trance and welcome the family for the sangeet function, all the while glancing back at her.
He couldn’t keep his eyes off of her, throughout the evening, he had no idea who preformed what or which client greeted him. His mind and eyes were only on her. It wasn’t only because she wore his favourite colour, or because she looked spectacular but there was something else in her air today. She seemed relaxed, happy even: she seemed to be enjoying the function, rather than being caught up in a scheme, trying to figure out his plan or any conspiracy on his behalf. Plus there was the fact, that she too kept looking his way, gracing him with a shy smile, and reddened cheeks everytime he caught her looking his way. Was she finally coming around? Did she finally believe his love for her? Her behaviour suggested that but he needed to be sure, only didn’t know if he should ask her straight up or use a reverse tactic to make her fess up.
He was still debating over which method, when NK solved his problem by approaching Khushi and asking her to dance after all the planned performances were done by them.
‘Come on Khushi, its’ your turn to dance. And no you cannot say no. I know you love to dance. Besides this is your sangeet, so the dulha must dance.’ Arnav, who was standing at some distance from the pair, but could hear and see them clearly, now leaned closer to hear her answer. If she replied in the affirmative, that would mean she was finally accepting him.
‘I am the duIhan, Nanhe ji. But you are quite right, the dulha must dance. This dulhan will only dance on the condition that her dulha dances.’ Khushi replied, mischief glinting in her eyes. She turned to face Arnav and said the next words directly to him, a smirk playing across her face, ‘Arnav ji ko nachaiye, thabhi hum nache ge. Deal?’ She held out her hand in anticipation.
‘Alright. Deal!’ NK shook her hand enthusiastically. ‘Come on Nan- hey where did Nannav go?’ NK turned to where Arnav had been standing moments ago, to get him on stage, when he found he had disappeared.
‘I guess, he chickened out.’ Khushi cried, while her heart sunk a little she had hoped he would be a sport. The raise of his brow when she had challenged him had made her hope, that he would do the one thing he never did: dance. But the fact that he had disappeared before anyone could approach him, suggested otherwise.
‘There is no thing I can deny you Khushi Kumari Gupta.’ His voice suddenly boomed across the lounge, making everyone turn to locate its’ origin. The spot-light shone on the vacant stage revealing him standing in it’s centre, blazer off, black sleeve’s folded back, eyes on Khushi. ‘Your wish;’ he gestured towards her, then placed his hand on his chest with an endearing look as he said, ‘my command.’ Khushi felt her breath get stuck in her throat. He had agreed, without anyone even having to convince him, just for her. ‘But if I’m going to dance, Khushi, its’ going to be with you, otherwise no. So… may I have this dance?’ He added cheekily, getting down on one knee and holding out his palm towards her, in hope.
Everyone waited with baited breath to see whether Khushi would join him or not. She too stared, unsure of whether she was going to accept his hand. The second time this month he had offered her his hand, causing a fluttering feeling, something tickled the inside of her stomache while she debated her answer.
He kept her gaze, as his heart drummed, hoping she would come over and take his hand for this dance, confirming his thoughts that she was at last coming around to him.
The moments seemed to drag, until Khushi discovered her legs making the decision for her, as she walked towards the stage, entranced by his gaze and ultimately placed her shaky left hand in his right, all the while keeping her eyes firmly locked on his. The contact escalated their heartbeats ten-fold, drowning out all the cheers and hooting around them as they took the floor. Arnav softly pulled her towards him and walked around her back, from her left to her right, nodded towards the DJ to play the number he had selected for this dance and then taking her right hand he came close and whispered into her ear, ‘this one is for you.’ Just as he finished saying it, the music began blaring, it was Teri Meri, featuring her favourite actor: Salman Khan, but she barely registered the song, for he started leading the dance and now her heart was banging so hard and fast against her ribs that she could hear nothing but it.
The dance brought them so close that she could feel his heart pounding against his chest the way hers’ was. Neither was dancing according to the music but rather to the rhythm of their united heart-beats. He pushed, pulled and twirled her gracefully, making her look spectacular as a man should in any couple dance. While she followed his lead perfectly, matching his steps and bringing such flare to the stage. The dance took them apart, as well as brought them closer together like never before. His hands brushed her arms, caressed her waist, slid up her back. Whilst his erratic breath blew in her hair, his lips skirted her shoulders, as his fingers sketched her collar bone. Her whole body felt like it was on fire, as his touch left its’ mark on her; whereas his heart banged violently, for being so close to her: his whole being reached a new high, of getting the chance to grace her so beautifully.
They were lost in each others’ arms, when claps from all around jolted them out of each other’s haze, notifying them of the conclusion of their dance. Both awkwardly stepped out of the other’s embrace and shyly took the praises herded at them. Their heart-beat still irratic after the dance that had just taken place. Arnav kept glancing at her in disbelief; at the moment they had just shared. His happiness knew no bounds, they may not have exchanged any words but their steps had conveyed clearly the love that not only existed between them but was beginning to blossom now that Khushi had accepted him. That he was sure of, for she would never have danced with him and that too so romantically if she had not.
‘You both were brilliant. I mean wow, Chotay, I knew Khushi was a dancer, but didn’t know my brother had it in him too. You both set the stage on fire.’ Anjali hugged them both.
‘Yes. You both were so sexy- I mean…umm….sizzling on stage.’ NK corrected his phrase, seeing Anjali’s reaction, at the inappropriate term.
Arnav just gave an awkward laugh, while Khushi reddened and kept her gaze planted on the raised marble platform. To take the heat off from her, Arnav announced dinner was ready and guided everyone to the buffet tables, leaving her standing alone on the stage, not realizing that she had let her hair curtain her face not out of embarrassment at the intimacy but rather to hide her tears that were trickling down her cheeks. The dance had proven, what she had feared all along and regardless of how much she had prepared herself to be ok with this outcome, she had not been prepared enough. He broke her heart and trust, just like Shyam had. The way he had touched her, that too in front of everybody, told her there was only one thing he was after and she had been right all along. For if he loved her he would have never caressed her the way he had done, that too in front of every one. She had been a fool for letting herself believe that she may have been mistaken. She had taken heed of Nani’s words and decided to judge him by his actions which had started to make her think that her initial judgement about him was wrong, but his actions not moments before had proven the very thing she had feared in the hotel back in Sheesh-Mahal where they had first met. He was only interested in sex, like every other man. She was only a mere satisfier of his lust not someone he loved. She was stupid to have let herself believe that such an emotion existed inside men like him, after everything that had happened. She was infuriated with herself for letting her heart open up for him earlier that day. It had been a mere plan to reel her in, just the way Shyam had used Payal that fateful night to fulfil his desires, he had used her parents. When would she realize that men like him were only manipulators; they manipulated words and emotions to suit their purpose. They didn’t care for her.
She hated herself, more then him. For she had known and yet still let herself believe. Her stupid, gullible heart had put her family yet again in the same position they had been six months previous: where her wedding had been announced, only to be broken yet again. Arnav’s actions had illustrated that he didn’t want a wedding, only a wedding night! Ugh how could she have landed herself in the same postion again?!! Had she not learned anything?!! Clearly, not! But enough was enough. It was time to end this. She wouldn’t let him humiliate her family in front of everyone in Lucknow the way Shyam had done. She would end this tonight, before things got completely out of hand. Her family had gotten too involved already, but she wouldn’t let them get anymore attached. It was time to do what she should have done the moment Arnav had confessed, in order to not let it get this far, but she had hoped that respect and love for Nani and Di would make him grow a heart and stop without giving them too much pain, but clearly that was not the case. The man was heartless and she would need to deal with him. She would take heed of Nani’s words, she wouldn’t run away from fear anymore, she would do what needed to be done, to end this. It was high time now; she needed to do it tonight, before they left for Lucknow the next day. This wedding was over and everyone involved init needed to be made aware of it, and that too from Arnav Singh Raizada himself, as he was their criminal for making them weave elaborate dreams of this wedding taking place. This resolve made, she wiped away her tears and marched away, armed with her new plan.
These thoughts haunted her. No matter what she did or where she went they always found her. She felt like some criminal when in front of him, especially with the way he smiled around her and absentmindedly stared at her. This affected her so much that on the Wednesday before the sangeet, she asked to go on official leave. To which he first reacted a little strongly, not wanting to miss the chance of seeing her everyday. But when she said, that she being the bride deserved to be off two weeks before her wedding in order to relax and get pampered by her family, he agreed, reluctantly. Thus from Wednesday afternoon she had been home, although not relaxing instead making jalebis to calm her over-wired mind. But even the jalebis didn’t help. She then turned to her parents and friend, but even walking around the garden or sitting on the swing Anjali had gotten her didn’t settle her frenzied mind. Plus being in the garden made her feel just as frazzled as she felt when in front of Arnav, for now she knew there was a reason why the garden had often reminded her of Arnav. Before she had thought it was because she knew he liked gardening and was good at it, thus the beautiful garden around her made her think of him, but now she knew it wasn’t just that, it was the fact that he himself had groomed this garden hence is why it carried his air.
She was restless. She didn’t know what to feel. Should she trust her mind and not trust him and therefore have no reason to worry about breaking his heart, for her mind still told her it was all a façade on his part. Or should she trust her heart that believed Nani’s words and felt that he was being truthful. If that was the case then she didn’t deserve his trust or love for she didn’t know how to reciprocate it. She was stuck in an unfortunate battle between her heart and mind yet again, where one said that he would break her trust and the other said that she would break his. Which was right, which was wrong? Who knew? Or were they both wrong and something else was at play, entirely? This third question arose on Saturday morning, after a call from Anjali stirred something like emotion inside her heart for Arnav.
On the morning of the sangeet, Anjali called to inform them of a change in plan, regarding the wedding location. Arnav had decided, seeing the very few invties on the Gupta’s side at the engagement and for the sangeet ceremony, that the wedding should take place in Lucknow where all the Gupta’s family and friends were. He wanted everyone of their family and friend’s to attend the wedding, he wanted all of Khushi’s nearest and dearest there, some thing that wouldn’t happen if the wedding was held in Delhi, so he decided to change the location.
There was another reason why he wanted all their relations to attend the wedding, which had to do with a conversation he had heard between Garima and Madhumathi during the engagement party, at how the media announcement would now seal all those people’s lips who had dared to scorn Khushi after her broken engagement and then Shyam’s drama which he had created in front of the whole neighbourhood, resulting in Shashi’s heart-attack. Madhumathi had happily stated in a whisper to Garima that this news would reach them and that would teach them for ever bad-mouthing her darling neice. Arnav wanted to shut their mouths too, for daring to disgrace Khushi; thus wanted to marry her in front of each and every one of them, showing them just how well she had done in her life regardless of their taunts. She was a top-class designer, was supporting her family financially, had a house in her name and was getting married, no thanks to them but to her own never-backing-down attitude. One of the many things he loved immensely about her.
However, these were all still secondary reasons, there was one most important reason that had led him to take this decision, which the previous reasons had supported. This reason was that he wanted to fulfil Khushi’s unsaid wish. She had never told him and he wasn’t even sure if she had told anyone else, but her heart had revealed it to him. During the engagement ceremony he had seen her break away from the crowd and take a seat under the stars on the poolside: take a seat with her parents. She missed her parents terribly; he knew that, for just like her he missed them too. Thus he decided to take the sacred pheres in the same mandir where her parents had taken theirs’, so that on their wedding day she could feel like they were there, with her. That was his main reason for changing the location to Lucknow, so that the marriage could take place at the same temple, where her parents had eloped.
Anjali didn’t convey all these reasons, she only said how Arnav thought the Gupta’s having all their relations in Lucknow it best to do it there and asked nonchalantly if it was possible to do it in the mandir Khushi’s parents’ had gotten married in. But Khushi knew the brother and sister’s games well; the very fact that Anjali had adopted a casual tone and suggested that it was her idea of having the wedding at that particular mandir, meant that it wasn’t one she had just thought about on the spot and was in fact her brother’s who as always hated taking the credit for anything good in front of anyone else, but Anjali or Devyani. The family had rejoiced hearing this and starting talking more excitedly, if that was even possible, about the wedding now taking place in their hometown, Lucknow. The sangeet, however, was to take place in Delhi as it had been planned for later that evening, there being no time to cancel all the invites and postpone it. Thus it had been decided the sangeet was to carry on as it had been planned, while the mehendi, haldi and wedding would take place in Lucknow the following weekend.
As everyone went about getting ready for the function that day and talking about preparations that needed to be considered now due to the change of venue, Khushi ventured out into the lawn and sat on her swing, replayed Payal’s excited words from moments ago: oh Khushi I am so happy for you, you are going into such a loving and caring family. Just for your happiness and ours they decided to bring the barat to Lucknow, I mean how incredibly sweet is that? I am sure Arnav ji had something to do with this. He loves you so very much. She had chirped happily when she hugged her after conveying the news Anjali had broken over the phone.
As the wind blew in her face, she dwelled upon what she had said and what Nani had told her. These things, along with his actions that showed great care all suggested he did indeed love her and for the first time this thought didn’t make her feel like a felon for not loving him back because it instead produced a new sensation within her, originating from somewhere deep inside of her. A warm, fuzzy feeling, which reflexively made her giggle at the thought of Arnav. She had never felt like this before regarding him or anyone. It was such an elated feeling. Suddenly, all her worries about the marriage and what would happen disappeared and all that echoed in her mind was the harmonious voice of Payal singing sweet praises of Arnav, which wamed her cheeks.
In this new halo she dressed in a simple, yet gorgeous green sari, as green was Arnav’s favourite colour (a fact Anjali once related, but it wouldn’t be hard to guess, considering he loved plants so much). The sari was a deep green, with an intricate black lace border that brought elegance to the outfit. It had a backless green blouse that fastened itself around her chest via a silver hook at the bottom and a string at the top. With it she wore silver studs with a green crystal drop, green glass bangles and left her hair out. In this heart-stopping attire she stepped into the Shantivan hall making Arnav’s heart come to a stand-still. She looked stunning and he couldn’t take his eyes off of her. It wasn’t until Anjali actually nudged him towards the Gupta’s did he come out of her trance and welcome the family for the sangeet function, all the while glancing back at her.
He couldn’t keep his eyes off of her, throughout the evening, he had no idea who preformed what or which client greeted him. His mind and eyes were only on her. It wasn’t only because she wore his favourite colour, or because she looked spectacular but there was something else in her air today. She seemed relaxed, happy even: she seemed to be enjoying the function, rather than being caught up in a scheme, trying to figure out his plan or any conspiracy on his behalf. Plus there was the fact, that she too kept looking his way, gracing him with a shy smile, and reddened cheeks everytime he caught her looking his way. Was she finally coming around? Did she finally believe his love for her? Her behaviour suggested that but he needed to be sure, only didn’t know if he should ask her straight up or use a reverse tactic to make her fess up.
He was still debating over which method, when NK solved his problem by approaching Khushi and asking her to dance after all the planned performances were done by them.
‘Come on Khushi, its’ your turn to dance. And no you cannot say no. I know you love to dance. Besides this is your sangeet, so the dulha must dance.’ Arnav, who was standing at some distance from the pair, but could hear and see them clearly, now leaned closer to hear her answer. If she replied in the affirmative, that would mean she was finally accepting him.
‘I am the duIhan, Nanhe ji. But you are quite right, the dulha must dance. This dulhan will only dance on the condition that her dulha dances.’ Khushi replied, mischief glinting in her eyes. She turned to face Arnav and said the next words directly to him, a smirk playing across her face, ‘Arnav ji ko nachaiye, thabhi hum nache ge. Deal?’ She held out her hand in anticipation.
‘Alright. Deal!’ NK shook her hand enthusiastically. ‘Come on Nan- hey where did Nannav go?’ NK turned to where Arnav had been standing moments ago, to get him on stage, when he found he had disappeared.
‘I guess, he chickened out.’ Khushi cried, while her heart sunk a little she had hoped he would be a sport. The raise of his brow when she had challenged him had made her hope, that he would do the one thing he never did: dance. But the fact that he had disappeared before anyone could approach him, suggested otherwise.
‘There is no thing I can deny you Khushi Kumari Gupta.’ His voice suddenly boomed across the lounge, making everyone turn to locate its’ origin. The spot-light shone on the vacant stage revealing him standing in it’s centre, blazer off, black sleeve’s folded back, eyes on Khushi. ‘Your wish;’ he gestured towards her, then placed his hand on his chest with an endearing look as he said, ‘my command.’ Khushi felt her breath get stuck in her throat. He had agreed, without anyone even having to convince him, just for her. ‘But if I’m going to dance, Khushi, its’ going to be with you, otherwise no. So… may I have this dance?’ He added cheekily, getting down on one knee and holding out his palm towards her, in hope.
Everyone waited with baited breath to see whether Khushi would join him or not. She too stared, unsure of whether she was going to accept his hand. The second time this month he had offered her his hand, causing a fluttering feeling, something tickled the inside of her stomache while she debated her answer.
He kept her gaze, as his heart drummed, hoping she would come over and take his hand for this dance, confirming his thoughts that she was at last coming around to him.
The moments seemed to drag, until Khushi discovered her legs making the decision for her, as she walked towards the stage, entranced by his gaze and ultimately placed her shaky left hand in his right, all the while keeping her eyes firmly locked on his. The contact escalated their heartbeats ten-fold, drowning out all the cheers and hooting around them as they took the floor. Arnav softly pulled her towards him and walked around her back, from her left to her right, nodded towards the DJ to play the number he had selected for this dance and then taking her right hand he came close and whispered into her ear, ‘this one is for you.’ Just as he finished saying it, the music began blaring, it was Teri Meri, featuring her favourite actor: Salman Khan, but she barely registered the song, for he started leading the dance and now her heart was banging so hard and fast against her ribs that she could hear nothing but it.
The dance brought them so close that she could feel his heart pounding against his chest the way hers’ was. Neither was dancing according to the music but rather to the rhythm of their united heart-beats. He pushed, pulled and twirled her gracefully, making her look spectacular as a man should in any couple dance. While she followed his lead perfectly, matching his steps and bringing such flare to the stage. The dance took them apart, as well as brought them closer together like never before. His hands brushed her arms, caressed her waist, slid up her back. Whilst his erratic breath blew in her hair, his lips skirted her shoulders, as his fingers sketched her collar bone. Her whole body felt like it was on fire, as his touch left its’ mark on her; whereas his heart banged violently, for being so close to her: his whole being reached a new high, of getting the chance to grace her so beautifully.
They were lost in each others’ arms, when claps from all around jolted them out of each other’s haze, notifying them of the conclusion of their dance. Both awkwardly stepped out of the other’s embrace and shyly took the praises herded at them. Their heart-beat still irratic after the dance that had just taken place. Arnav kept glancing at her in disbelief; at the moment they had just shared. His happiness knew no bounds, they may not have exchanged any words but their steps had conveyed clearly the love that not only existed between them but was beginning to blossom now that Khushi had accepted him. That he was sure of, for she would never have danced with him and that too so romantically if she had not.
‘You both were brilliant. I mean wow, Chotay, I knew Khushi was a dancer, but didn’t know my brother had it in him too. You both set the stage on fire.’ Anjali hugged them both.
‘Yes. You both were so sexy- I mean…umm….sizzling on stage.’ NK corrected his phrase, seeing Anjali’s reaction, at the inappropriate term.
Arnav just gave an awkward laugh, while Khushi reddened and kept her gaze planted on the raised marble platform. To take the heat off from her, Arnav announced dinner was ready and guided everyone to the buffet tables, leaving her standing alone on the stage, not realizing that she had let her hair curtain her face not out of embarrassment at the intimacy but rather to hide her tears that were trickling down her cheeks. The dance had proven, what she had feared all along and regardless of how much she had prepared herself to be ok with this outcome, she had not been prepared enough. He broke her heart and trust, just like Shyam had. The way he had touched her, that too in front of everybody, told her there was only one thing he was after and she had been right all along. For if he loved her he would have never caressed her the way he had done, that too in front of every one. She had been a fool for letting herself believe that she may have been mistaken. She had taken heed of Nani’s words and decided to judge him by his actions which had started to make her think that her initial judgement about him was wrong, but his actions not moments before had proven the very thing she had feared in the hotel back in Sheesh-Mahal where they had first met. He was only interested in sex, like every other man. She was only a mere satisfier of his lust not someone he loved. She was stupid to have let herself believe that such an emotion existed inside men like him, after everything that had happened. She was infuriated with herself for letting her heart open up for him earlier that day. It had been a mere plan to reel her in, just the way Shyam had used Payal that fateful night to fulfil his desires, he had used her parents. When would she realize that men like him were only manipulators; they manipulated words and emotions to suit their purpose. They didn’t care for her.
She hated herself, more then him. For she had known and yet still let herself believe. Her stupid, gullible heart had put her family yet again in the same position they had been six months previous: where her wedding had been announced, only to be broken yet again. Arnav’s actions had illustrated that he didn’t want a wedding, only a wedding night! Ugh how could she have landed herself in the same postion again?!! Had she not learned anything?!! Clearly, not! But enough was enough. It was time to end this. She wouldn’t let him humiliate her family in front of everyone in Lucknow the way Shyam had done. She would end this tonight, before things got completely out of hand. Her family had gotten too involved already, but she wouldn’t let them get anymore attached. It was time to do what she should have done the moment Arnav had confessed, in order to not let it get this far, but she had hoped that respect and love for Nani and Di would make him grow a heart and stop without giving them too much pain, but clearly that was not the case. The man was heartless and she would need to deal with him. She would take heed of Nani’s words, she wouldn’t run away from fear anymore, she would do what needed to be done, to end this. It was high time now; she needed to do it tonight, before they left for Lucknow the next day. This wedding was over and everyone involved init needed to be made aware of it, and that too from Arnav Singh Raizada himself, as he was their criminal for making them weave elaborate dreams of this wedding taking place. This resolve made, she wiped away her tears and marched away, armed with her new plan.
*****
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